(VOVworld)- Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang and his wife began an official visit to Laos on Monday at the invitation of the Lao Party leader and President Choumaly Sayasone. The visit will strengthen the special friendship between the two countries. To mark the occasion, VOV reviews the development of the Vietnam-Laos comprehensive cooperation.
Lao Party leader and President Choumaly Sayasone welcomes Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang in 2012- Photo: TTXVN
|
This is President Truong Tan Sang’s third visit to Laos. He previously visited Laos in February, 2012, and November 2013. This visit demonstrates the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries and will further bilateral cooperation in politics, security, national defense, trade, investment, culture, education, and training.
Close friendship
Vietnam and Laos established diplomatic ties on September 5, 1962. Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and Lao President Cayson Phomvihan laid the foundation for the special bilateral relationship which has been treasured by generations of Party and State leaders and peoples of the two countries. Over the past 50 years, the special relationship has become one of faithfulness, solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said:“The Vietnam-Lao relationship, fostered by the sacrifices of our predecessors, has become an invaluable treasure of the two nations. No matter whatever changes in the world, Vietnam always supports and has special affection for Laos. Laos is always the first priority in the external policy of the Vietnamese Party and State”.
In recent years, the two countries have increased delegation exchanges, strengthened cooperation in implementing signed agreements, and promoted the outcomes of the 37th session of the Vietnam-Lao Inter-governmental Committee this January. Bilateral cooperation in economics, trade and investment has developed rapidly with last year’s two-way trade totaling 1.4 billion USD, 24.5% higher than in 2013. This year, the two countries aim to increase two-way trade to 2 billion USD, 40% higher than last year. Vietnam and Laos will accelerate projects to build a Vietnam-Laos highway and a pipeline from Hon La port in Hoa Binh province to Laos’s Kham Muon province.
Education is a top priority in Vietnam-Laos cooperation. They have been implementing a project to improve bilateral educational cooperation and human resource development until 2020. Bilateral cooperation in national defense and security has also been strengthened. They have increased communications on the Vietnam-Lao special friendship for the two peoples, especially the younger generation. Bordering provinces of the two countries have united to build a border of peace, stability and development.
Promoting traditional friendship in the new context
The development of the Vietnam-Lao relationship has been fitted from frequent contacts at various levels between the two sides. Their leaders agreed to reform cooperation and promptly address arising problems relating to their interests, security and development. Vilayvong Bouddakham, the First Secretary of the Lao Youth Union and Vice President of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association, said:“Amidst globalization and international integration, we need to strengthen and maintain our traditional friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples. We need to educate the younger generation about our relationship”.
During his visit, President Truong Tan Sang and Lao leaders will discuss ways to further bilateral ties in the near future.
Anh Huyen